“Bolt Up Chargers” is a phrase used by fans of the Los Angeles Chargers, which essentially means to “get excited” or “show your support” for the team. The Chargers have a lightning bolt symbol that’s raised in the stadium and fans will yell “Bolt Up!” during key parts of the game or when the Chargers are getting close to scoring or need a third-down stand.
Los Angeles Chargers Fans ‘Bolt Up’ for a Big Play
Chargers fans have a rallying cry during games, and it has caught on since the team moved to Southern California. The “Bolt Up!” cry comes from the lightning bolt emblem on the team’s helmets, with fans harnessing their energy into a collective whole.
The phrase is to embody positivity and energy into the team and the fans who cheer for them. When the Chargers need a first down, the fans will stand up and yell “Bolt Up!” It is essentially a way to connect the fans to the team; it allows the fans to get into the game and help rally the players.
Energy is energy #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/KnXdMrXBmb
— No Limit Bolts (@nolimitbolts) December 13, 2024
According to Bill Johnston, the Chargers director of public relations, the team has embraced the chant and welcomes hearing it from the fans.
“Our success comes so much from the fans, the energy that they bring to the stadium, the energy they bring everyday in terms of their support around the community. We are always trying to build that connection, build that line from the fans to the players, fans to the organization,” Johnston said when the chant was first instituted.
“We are calling upon them to join us in that effort this year to ‘Bolt Up;’ to get back into the season, get back to the playoffs and win a championship. Because we’ll need them if we’re going to make it all the way.”
The “Bolt Up” campaign is also a cause for the fans to get involved in the social media scene. The team was asking fans to create their own “Bolt Up” dance or write their own song and post it to facebook.com/chargers.
“We’re trying to win and that’s our number one goal…but the goal of the ‘Bolt Up’ campaign is to connect to the community and bring them along with us,” Johnston said.
“Make sure they do realize that we need them to be a part of this. We need that energy. There’s such a thing as home field advantage — that comes from the fans in the stands, and it’s a real thing. That’s what we’re trying to maintain and grow; we need them for that home field advantage at all of our games, we’ve got a tough home schedule; we’ve got a tough road schedule.”